Vishal Bharti
Udhampur, Mar 13: Behind the closed walls in District Jail Udhampur there are so many tales to narrate to the outside world, which are not only related to crimes but also of positivity and visionary thoughts.
As a part of skill development programmes, female inmates in this jail are now days being trained for making jute bags, which would help them in earning once they are free birds.
Jammu and Kashmir Women Development Corporation is the brain child behind this and is trying to give wings to the dreams of the lady inmates despite all odds they are facing as inmates.
“We are trying to make women confident and self dependant,” Nahid Soz, Managing Director, Women Development Corporation, here said.
She said that earlier the project was started in Baramullah jail but it could not last long there and then the same was initiated in Udhampur district jail.
“As a lady officer is heading the jail, it is of great help and support to the Corporation in imparting training to the women inmates,” she added and said that the motive behind was not only to help them to generate sources of income but also to keep them engaged so that living behind the walls, and untouched to the outside world, they should not feel ‘depressed’.
“We are proving funds and raw material to these women inmates through jail authorities for making the bags and accordingly a stipend is also being paid to them,” said Ms Soz and added that it is three-month training.
She however, said that the bags once send to the market for sale, the share will be distributed among the women imparted training.
Meanwhile Superintendent Jail, Rajni Sehgal told UNI that there are 26 female inmates presently lodged in the jail from Ramban, Reasi, Doda and Udhampur districts.
“While the society and the relatives disown the women due to the crime they had committed but inside the barracks we are making them skillful so that they lead a self dependant life after their release,” said Ms Sehgal.
The Jailer further said that the Women Development Corporation was kind enough to impart training to these inmates and the jute bags made by them will not only be supplied within the state but also be imported worldwide.
“We do not want these inmates to be felt ignored or dejected after their release but they will be empowered by the jail authorities so that they can face the world and earn their livelihhood after completing the sentence,” said the SP Jail.
Jammu and Kashmir Director General Prisons, Dilbagh Singh said, “we want to positively channelize the energies of inmates and under skill development programs, they are being engaged in many activities.”
“Engagements in different tasks help them to stay away from evil thoughts,” Mr Singh told UNI.
The Director General further said that the inmates lodged in jails across the state are being utilized positively and reformed.
Many of them are actively participating in carpentary, handloom, Kashmiri handicrafts, laundry, making jute and paper bags, he said adding, “we also have established ‘Bikri Kendra’ outside District Jail Jammu wherein the products, items being manufactured by the inmates are put on sale and people love to purchase them.”
He said that such initiatives and activities bring positive change. (UNI)